What you have learned

[Eric H]

Even if your pedal sounds incredible with you, someone else could play through your stuff and due to their touch, make it sound bad.

Absolutely --though sometimes they will make it sound better than you can...reminding you to put down the iron, and start playing more.

If I can duplicate Robben Ford's rig I'll still sound like me, but my lack of technique will be louder and clearer.

Find the tone (tones) that make you want to play, and inspire confidence in your playing.


-Eric

[Bill Bergman]

1.)I've learned a lot but not enough.
2.)Mark, I like spring loaded punches also.
3.)Some pedals sound much better after not playing them for several months.

.......actually there a bunch more I could come with but they've probably have already been said or will be.

[Tony Forestiere]

Umm...Mark.

Could you elaborate on #26

Not quite sure what you mean! :wink:

[LoKi6922]

i've learned that if my cat likes to 'hunt' components left out on my work bench when i'm not around, and i often find them in strange places later on... :lol:

seriously though, the best lesson i've learned is that there is ALWAYS more to learn!

[petemoore]

I have an agreement with my cat, his litter box is outside the 'lab'.
 You don't mess with my shtuff, and I won't mess with your's.
 Seriously, I found out noise floor can be moved up or down, generally more stages=more noise [gain/noise ratio], but 'better' components can bend that rule, 'noiseless' biasing is another example.

[TheBigMan]

1. It's convenient when your germanium fuzz doesn't work to assume that your NOS tranny is at fault.  95% of the time you will in fact find that it's your own sloppy soldering or something similarly trivial that you've assumed to be fine which is actually at fault.  See also #2.

2. If it will go in a socket two ways, you WILL pick the wrong way.

3. A meter and an audio probe are absolutely essential tools to have.  If nothing else, you can probe a circuit and hear how each component effects the sound through the circuit.

4. It's worth investing in quality tools and parts, particularly when it comes to drill bits and soldering irons.

5. Keep an open mind.  Vintage germanium mojo has it's place, digital modelling has it's place and so does everythin inbetween.

[Paul Marossy]

I still like PCBs best.  :lol:

[petemoore]

Being able to choose components has it's advantages.

[Dan N]

When clear coating your nicely decorated enclosure, make damn sure you have not accidently picked up the can of fast drying black spray paint.

[puretube]

you get more/faster help here, when you place a direct LINK to the circuit in question...

[runmikeyrun]

-start simple, no matter how much experience you think you have.

-know when to walk away from something you can't debug.

-check each stage as you build it to make sure everything is working before moving on.

-use a fan when soldering and wash your hands when done.

-get a real pair of wire strippers, your teeth and dentist will thank you (my dentist thanked me when i got a foam windscreen for my microphone, i kept chipping teeth on it).

-work in a well lit area and have your bench at a comfortable height.

-Have access to a stool for those extended sessions.

-a little swivel vise and micro tool set will work wonders.

-stop when you get hungry, tired, or get a headache.  You will start making stupid mistakes when you get distracted by something.

-don't "honey just one more minute" your wife too many times.  It seriously limits your hot food intake and chances for nookie.

AND FINALLY...

-there is more to life than the fuzz face, jimi, and eddie!!

[Fp-www.Tonepad.com]

I've learned to remember to put the IC in the socket!!! damn it!

Fp

[aron]

re: the IC, don't forget to connect the ground pin!

[RDV]

...that I'm really as dumb as I look.


RDV